Spring-cushion-loading apparatus



ct. 1 O s. SUEKOFF SPRING CUSHION LOADING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet J.

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Oct. 25, 1927. 1,646,885

S. SUEKOFF SPRING CUSHION LOADING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 29. 1925 3 She'ts-Sheet 2 Oct. 25, 1927. 1,646,885

S. SUEKOFF SPRING CUS HION LOADING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 29, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 jz/entor [s 'r' v r: FFIE.

Artur SAMUEL EUEKOFF, F CEIbAGO, ILLINOIS.

BPBIHG-C'UfiHIQN-LQADING APPARATUS.

Application died October as, 1825. Serial No. 65,648.

for its principal object to provide a new and improved method and apparatus pt the character described, whereby coil springs may be quickly deposited in cushion covers of a standard form provided with separate spring cells, by which method and apparatus the hand labor heretofore required in this loading operation is eliminated.

Spring cushions have heretofore been constructed in various forms, but having as a common feature a plurality of ahned lIl(ll1- vidual cells, each 0 which contain a single helical spring. As commonly practiced, the fabric structures have first been made up, including suitable flexible partition members forming cells, and means were provided for inserting or loading the springs in the separate cells after the cushion is substantially complete, this loading operation being usually carried out'by means of a loading tool manipulated by hand and adapted to carry one or more of the springs in compressed condition, and inserted through one end of a row of cells. As will be understood by those familiar with the art. it has been the usual practice to hold the collapsed springs in the loading tool with their axes perpendicular to the cushion, in which position they were inserted through openings formed along one edge of each row of cells, until each spring reached its desired cell. The loading tool was then turned by hand to a horizontal position and the spring released in its cell so as to assume its final vertical position in the cell. This manual loading operation, however, is necessarily laborious and slow, and is also objectionable by reason of frequent displacement and slipping of the springs in the loading tool, all of which make hand loading a rather expen sive operation. lln carrying out my invention I provide a mechanical method oi loading standard forms of cushion covers, where by most of the manual labor is eliminated and the work carried out with greater recision and dispatch than has heretofore een possible.

The invention may be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate one form of apparatus constructed and operative in accordance with my invention. In the drawings Figure 1 is a top plan view of the loading machine;

Figure 2 is a side view in section of the machine shown in Figure 1 and showing a cushion in the process of being loaded;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but.

showing the machine in another position;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in horizontal section of one form of spring cushion capable of being loaded by my improved method and showing the application of the loading mechanism thereto;

Figure 5 is an enlarged view of one end of the loading tube forming a part of my apparatus, especially adapted for use in connection with the type of cushion shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a View similar to Figure A, but showing another type of cushion construction to which my improved mechanism may be applied; and

Figure 7 is a view oi a modified form of loading tube especially adapted for use with the type of cushion construction shown'in Figure 6.

Referring now to the form of apparatus illustrated herein, 1 provide a base 10, having a carriage 11 movable thereon, upon which is placed the work consisting of a cushion cover 12. The cushion cover may be of several well-known forms made up of fabric such as burlap and having suitable partition members forming the individual cells 20, 20, for receiving helical springs therein. In one form of cushion cover shown in Figure 4 to illustrate the use and operation of my improved apparatus, said cushion cover comprises a top cover 15 and bottom cover 16,'having a series of continuous fabric strips or walls 17., 17 disposed in parallel relation to each other in one direction, and a series of tabs 18, 18, arranged in alinement in the opposite direction, but spaced from the adjacent continuous strips or walls so as to aiford suitable openings, herein indicated at 19. 19, for insertion of the loading tool with its springs in the usual manner after the cushion cover with its partition members 17 and 18 are made up as a unit. Another form of cushion cover heretofore employed is shown in Figure 6, in which the separate cells for the springs are arranged in a similar manner to that shown in Figure 4, excepting that the continuous strips 17, 17 are till replaced by a series of separate partition strips 21, 21, similar to the strips 18, 18 dieposed in the opposite direction. As will hereinafter appear, however, either form of cushion is capable of being loaded by,inserting the individual springs along the openings 19, 19 formed along each row of cells.

My invention contemplates the provision of means for automatically depositing the springs in cushions of the general tvpe a ove described, said springs being first compressed and delivered in proper spaced relation within the cushion. A. means for accomplishing this comprises, broadly, a delivery tube 25 disposed in parallel relation above the work table 11. This tube is of the proper width to receive a single helical spring 26 therein and of a height to retain these springs in compressed condition. which is considerably less than the height they attain after they are deposited in the cushion. The tube is suitably supported on the frame 16 by arms 28, 28 projecting forwardly from an upright support 29 at the rear end of said frame. Adjacent the rear end of the tube ll provide a vertically disposed passageway 30 cylindrical in shape and of substantially the same diameter as the springs 26. A. compressor plunger 31 is reciprocally mounted in this passage and operated by a rod 32 connected to an actuating arm 33 pivoted at 34: to an upstanding support 35- on bracket 29. A delivery chute communicates with the passage 30 at one side thereof, in the form shown this dolivery chute being arranged at an angle thereto so, as to permit each spring 26 to be fed by gravity from a suitable source, as for instance a spring coiling machinesuch machines are well understood to those versed in the art and it is therefore omit-ted from the' drawings. The arrangement is such, however, that the plunger 31 will perunit one spring 26 to fall from the delivery chute t0 into the compressing chamber 30 every time the plunger is drawn to its up permost position, as shown in Figure 2. Or, if desired, my improved form of loading machine may be operated in synchronism with a spring coiling machine so that the springs will be fed from the ceiling machine in timed relation with the operation of the plunger 31. The actuating arm 33, connected with the plunger 31, is provided at its rearmost end with a contact member or roller 4:2, engaging a cam 43 on shaft 44:, the latter shaft being rotated by suitable means which need not be shown. The ararngement is such that by each revolution of the cam l3 the plunger 31 moves from its uppermost position, as shown in Figure 2, to its lowermost position, as shown in Figure 3, to compress a spring 26 against the lower surface 45 of the tube 25, and as is also clearly shown in Figure ea set 3 the stroke of the plunger 31 is such as to I its herein shown, this means comprises a plunger arranged for longitudinal movement within the tube 25 and having suitable operating means, herein consisting of a pitman 51, pivotally connected at 52 to a link 53 which is in turn pivoted at 5% to a crank arm 55 on operating shaft 44;. The arrangement is such that the plunger 50 is retracted to the rear end of the tube 25 beyond the compressing chamber 30 before the plunger 31 is actuated to compress the spring 26 in said chamber. Upon further rotation of the cam 43 the arm 33 and plunger 31 are actuated to compress the spring as shown in Figure 3, and while being held under compression of the plunger 31, the other plunger 50 moves the spring forwardly in compressed condition through the tube and ejects the same within the cushion.

Means are also provided for moving the ried on the drive shaft 14. The pawl isprovided with a spring 69 tending to force it into engagement with a rack 70 carried on arm 71 connected with the table 11. The movement of the cam 68 and rocker arm 67 is arranged so as to shift the table 11 outwardly a distance equal to that between adjacent cells 20, 20 in the cushion being loaded. Means are also provided for discontinuing theforward movement of the table when desired, as for instance while changing the position of the cushion for loading a new row or" cells. in the form shown this means comprises a manually operated lever 75 connected by rod 76, crank arm 77 and connecting member 78 to move the pawl 66 out of engagement with the rack 70.

Manifestly the usual clutch means may also be provided in connection with the drive shaft 44 for discontinuing the operation of the loading apparatus when it is desired to shift the position of the cushion on the work table to load anew row of cells.

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The use and operation of the apparatus above described is as follows: The cushlon is placed on the table 11, and the end of the tube 25 is inserted in proper registering position in the cushion to load one row of cells 20, 20, therein. it will be understood that the tube 25 is of considerably less height than the height of the cushion after it is loaded and the springs have been permitted to expand therein. n applying the tube 25 to the work, as for example to the formpt cushion shown in Figured, said tube is 1nserted endwise along one side of a row of cells 20, 20, to be tilled, the tube passing through the alined openings 19, 19. In this, as well as other forms of ordinary cushion construction a tube of the general form and size herein disclosed may be readily inserted through these 0 enin s when the cushion is held in tla-ttene con ition, so that the partitions forming the sides of these openings are spread apart as the tube is inserted. ll find it preferable, however, to shape the end of the tube in such a manner as to assist in the ready insertion thereof, depending somewhat upon the interior construction of the cushion. Thus in the form of cushion shown in Figure 4, the tube is preferably inserted along continuous side walls 17 -17, and for this purpose the end of the tube is formed substantially as shown in Figure 5,

' with the front end of the tube slanting forwardly to term a leading side wall 47, which is engaged against the adjacent continuous partition or wall 17. Thus the leading edge it forms a point which may readily find its wayinto the openings 19, 19, spreading the continuous wall 1? in one direction, and the oppositely disposed partitions 18, 18, in the other direction, as clearly indicated in Figure l, and the tube 25 is then inserted substantially the full width of the cushion in position to deposit a spring in the innermost cell 20. in practice, a cushion is manipulated by hand on the work table 11 so that it may be guided over the tube in the proper manner. lit will be understood that the interior arrangement of the partitions is clearly discernible from the top of the cushion owing to the sewing lines-used for connecting the partitions to the top cover. The cushion is in collapsed condition when it is initially drawn over the tube so that the point t? may be readily visible as a guiding device for the proper disposition oi the cushion by pressing the upper surface of the cushion downwardly so that the contour of the tube underlying the cover 15 may be readily seen.

Thus in the form shown in Figure l, the lowermost row of cells is loaded first by inserting the end of the tube through the upper openings 19, 19 in said first row and then starting the loading a paratus so as to deposit the first spring in t e innermost cell 20. This loadingo oration consists in a downward movement 0 the plunger 31 to compress a spring 26 and then a forward movement of the plunger 50 to move the compressed spring forwardly and out of the end ,of the tube where it is in position to expand in the innermost cell 20. The plunger 50 is then retracted and the compressor plunger 30 is raised so as to permit a second cycle of movement for compressing and ejecting a second spring. During this second cycle of movement the table 11 carrying the cushion thereon is moved outwardly with respect to the tube so that said tube is in position to deposit the second spring in the second cell. This operation is repeated until the first row of cells is loaded, whereupon the cushion is then moved sidewise on the table in position to insert the end of the tube 25 in the second row of cells. Under ordinary conditions it may be desirable to discontinue the operation of the loading device during the manipulation of the cushion as just described. The entire table may also be shifted inwardly toward the apparatus so that the tube will be forced into the cushion, this movement of the table being made possible by disconnecting the pawl 66 from rack 70 and moving the table the proper distance so as to position the tube for depositing the next spring in the innermost cell of the second row. The loading operation may then continue in the same manner as described in connection with the loading or the first row. I

ll find it desirable to load a cushion by starting at the row oi cells along one edge thereof and then worlringaway from the row first loaded, the tube being inserted in the side of each successive row of cells farthest removed from the adjacent row of cells which has been previously loaded.

lit will be understood that alter the cushion is completely loaded the sides, which have been left open for loading, are closed in the usual nmanner to form the completed article.

In the modified form of cushion shown in Figure 6 it will be observed that the partitions 21, 21, arranged in parallel relation to llllll separated longitudinally of each other so that it may not be quite so easy to guide the ordlnary form of tube through the openings .19, 19, since some of theseparate partitions 21, 21, maybe folded across the path of the tube and thus be caught over the advancing end thereof. Accordingl when such form of cushion is used it provide a guidin device such as illustrated in Figure 7, in wich an upstanding vprojection 60 is placed substan tially centrally of the top 46 of the tube and with the front upper and lower margins 62 and 63 of the tube curving rearwardly therefrom. The projection 60 serves as a guide ltll which is readily visible from the top of the cushion While the latter is being drawn thereover and which may therefore'be guided to follow closely the inside of the seam line along which the row of partitions 21, 21 are joined to the top cover 15. This srrangement insures the proper parting or spreading of the side partitions 21 in one direction and the other series of partitions 18 in the opposite direction, as clearly indicated in Figure 6. In other respects the loading operation is carried out in the same manner as already described in connection with the form of cushion shown in Figure i.

lit will be understood further that my appar'atus may be applied to other forms of cushions for loading the same at various stages of the manufacture thereof, or for loading individual cells or compartments subsequently incorporated in a cushionstructure. in all such structures the tube may be utilized for spotting a spring at any desired point Within the structure, provided, of course, there is suficient room for insertion of the tube. l do not, therefore, Wish to be understood as limiting myself to the particular form of apparatus shown herein, or the application to the specific forms of cushions described and shown, but many variatio is in the form of apparatus and diversified uses thereof will present themselves to persons skilled in the art, without departing from the s irit andscope or my invention,

l c aim as my invention:

l. in as spring cushion loading apparatus,

' a cushion holder, a tube extending over said holder and adopted to receive a coil spring at one end in compressed condition, means -for moving said spring through said tube and ejecting the same in position to expand at the end of said tube, and means for mov ing said holder longitudinally of said tube 2. In a spring cushion loaning apparatus, a tube of substantially less height than the thickness of the cushion to be tilled, said tube being adapted to receive a coil spring at one end in compressed condition. guide means on the end of said tube adapted to co operate in spreading the ali partitions in the cushion for affording entrance oi said tube, and means for moving seid spring through said tube and ejecting the same in position to expand at the other end of said tube.

3. in a spring cushion loading apparatus, a tube of substantially less height than the thickness oi the cushion to be filled, said tube being adapted to receive a coil spring at one end in compressed condition, guide means on the end of said tube visible by ileuing of the cushion, said guide means being adapted to cooperate in spreading the aligned partitions in the cushion for affording entrance of said tube, and means for moving said spring through said tube and ejecting essence the same in position to expand at the end of said tube.

d. in a spring cushion loading up aratus, a tube of substantially less height t an the thickness of the cushion to be filled, said tube bein adapted, to receive a coil spring at one end in compressed condition, guide means on the end of said tube projecting upwardly therefrom to be visible by flerin oi the cushion, said guide means being a apt/ed to coo crate in spreading the aligned partitions in t e cushion for afiording entrance oi said tube, and means for moving said spring t irough said tube and ejecting the same in position to expand at the end of said tube.

5, In spring cushion loading device, a tube having means at one end for spreading the vertical partitions of cushion cells to pen mit ingress of said tube with its greatest Width perpendicular to the normal position oi said partitions, and means for feeding coil springs in compressed form through said tube and ejecting the same in position to err pond at the end of said tube in position allel with said vertical partitions.

6. in a spring cushion loading devic tube having means at one end for spreading the vertical partitions of cushion cells to permit ingress of said tube with its greatest Width perpendicularto the normal. position oi said partitions, means for compressing coil springs in said tube with their arcs parallel with said vertical partitions, means for feeding said springs in compressed form through said tube and ejecting the same from one end thereof in position to cup in said cushion,

'3, in a cushion loading apparatus, a cushion holder, a tube extending over so holder end adapted to receive a coil spring at one end in compressed condition, for moving said spring through said tube and ejecting tie same in position to at the end of said tube, and means for moving said cushion holder relative to said tube in timed relation with said spring ejecting means whereby successively ejected spr ngs will be spaced from each other in said cushion.

8. in spring cushion loading apparatus, cushion holder adapted to support a IZ'Ull ion liatwise thereon, a tube extending over said holder and adapted to IWBGClv'B a coil spring at one end in compressed condition, means for moving each of a series of such springs through said tube and ejecb in" it in position to expand at the end of said tube, and means for moving said hole or and tube relative to each other so that the end of said tube registers With horizontally spaced. portions of said holder.

9. in a spring loading apparatus, a tube,

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means for compressing helical springs to be maintained in said tube in compressed condstionwith their sites arranged transversely of the axis of said tube, mean-s operable in ing a cushion cover so that springs will be timed relation with said compression means deposited therein in spaced relation from for forcing said springs in compressed c0n each other. 7 10 dition through said tube and ejecting them Signed at Chicago this 21st day of October 5 from one end thereof, and work-carrying 1925.

means operable in timed relation with said I compression and ejecting means for mov- SAMUEL SUEKOFF. 

